If you own a boat, you’ve probably experienced the joy of taking it out on the water. But if you’ve ever taken a boat out of the water to transport it, you know it’s not easy! It would help if you found a way to get your boat from the marina to your home or business. But how do you do that safely?

Berks County Insurance is happy to help our customers in Reading, PA understand the ins and outs of hauling a boat. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Learn how your trailer’s jack works.

All trailers are different, so even if you’ve jacked up one before, read the manual for the new one. If you don’t, you could damage the trailer or your boat.

2. Always check your tire pressure.

Your trailer’s tires will leak air, even if you don’t use them much. Low air pressure is dangerous for your trailer and your boat. The tires can heat up and blow out while driving, which could cause a bad accident. Make sure to inflate your tires properly before every trip.

3. Check your lights, too.

Speaking of things to check before every trip, make sure your trailer’s lights are working. It’s a common joke among boaters that trailer lights always fail, but not fixing them can be a severe safety issue. Not only do signal lights keep you and other drivers safe, but in many states, they’re required by law.

4. Double-check (even triple-check) your hitch.

High-balling your trailer coupler is when the trailer hitch is too high and causes the trailer to be pulled up and over the coupler. This is dangerous, so always double-check your trailer hitch is at the right height.

Even when you do everything right, things can still go wrong. Protect yourself and your boat with a boat insurance policy from Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA.